Every year, the U.S. state of Alaska shares a part of its oil wealth with its residents through a unique program called the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). This initiative has been helping families in Alaska since the 1980s by offering yearly cash payments, which are funded from oil revenues invested by the state.
For 2025, the PFD stimulus check amount is set at $1,702 per person. But not everyone qualifies, and there are rules and deadlines that must be followed. Here’s everything you need to know about how this program works and who can receive the payment.
What Is the PFD and Why Was It Created?
The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend was created in 1976 to ensure that oil profits benefit everyone in the state, not just big companies. Since 1983, the state has been distributing yearly payments to eligible residents.
This money comes from the Alaska Permanent Fund, which is managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC). The fund has grown a lot over the years, reaching nearly $83 billion by the end of 2024.
The PFD is basically a way to support local families using income earned from oil investments.
Who Can Apply for the 2025 PFD Payment?
Not all residents automatically qualify. To get the 2025 PFD stimulus check, you must meet the following basic rules:
- You must have lived in Alaska for the entire year before applying
- You must have been physically present in the state for at least 72 hours in the last two years
- You must not have been convicted of a serious crime in the past year
- These conditions are checked each year to ensure only eligible residents get the benefit.
Has the Deadline to Apply Passed?
Yes. For the 2025 payment, the application deadline was March 31, 2025. Over 560,000 applications were received this year.
However, the actual payments begin in October, and some late applications may be processed later in the year. In total, more than 730,000 people usually receive the PFD annually.
How Is the PFD Amount Decided?
Each year, the amount of the PFD check changes based on:
- The profit earned from oil investments
- The state’s financial situation and policies
- The number of people who apply
- For 2025, the final amount was officially announced as $1,702 per person.
In some years, an energy supplement is also added to the payment. This started in 2023 to help families with high fuel costs. So, the total amount may include both the regular dividend and a bonus amount.
Can the PFD Amount Be Increased?
There have been several proposals in Alaska to increase PFD funding:
- Some suggest adjusting the state budget to give more priority to the PFD
- Others want to partner with organizations like the IDB or FAO to get outside funding—but these plans are often rejected due to the fear of adding debt.
- One of the most debated ideas is to increase taxes on oil companies, but voters have rejected this in past referendums. Many
- Alaskans worry it could reduce investment and hurt the economy . so, while discussions continue, changes to the PFD system usually take time and require public support.